New rules of the road

After passing the driving test, new drivers immediately throw away the rules that were crammed for a written test. They quickly forget the caution used learning to drive or doing a three-point turn in a box at the licensing office to pass the practical exam.

So the first rule upon going out on the road after getting your licence is to forget the books and do your own thing. Those who did not do an exam but still got their licence already learnt this rule.

The second is you can drive at your own speed—whatever you can get away with, without getting a ticket or into an accident. Of course hospital admissions will vouch for those who learnt the hard way that driving at your own speed is not so easy when there are others doing the same.

At the other extreme are those who appear to be driving carefully "cruising on a Sunday afternoon" but do so on the right side of the road thereby blocking those who wish to overtake.

Right lane, left lane, same different to these folks.

The third rule is you can catch a vaps and switch lanes. So if the right lane is going faster then the left, you can change. Should the left lane start moving faster you can suddenly change again, without even the courtesy of putting on your indicator. The indicator is not really for everyday use is it?

The fourth rule is that you can honk your horn loudly whenever you are stuck in traffic because that will make the traffic move faster. After all, the annoying sound of horn honking for a minute or more has been road-tested and proven to ease gridlock.

The fifth rule is to feel free to stop or slow down your car in the middle of a busy road to talk to your friends and family. It does not matter if there are several other cars behind you with people who have places to go and things to do. Everyone is expected to be courteous to you, enjoying your conversation.

The sixth rule is to be alert for police or licensing officers who occasionally appear on the road to enforce those rules which you have been ignoring for most of the year. Begin driving at a slower pace, turn down the loud music, and hurriedly put on your seat belt (you can take it off after passing the check point).

The seventh rule says you can drive on the shoulder and cut into the traffic because no one else is more in a hurry than you.

The eight rule is quite popular. You can go out liming and drinking late and still drive yourself home. The system is on your side. Police officers are hardly checking speed or whether you can walk a straight line after midnight into the wee hours of the morning.

The alcohol in the blood and euphoria of the lime has sharpened your senses. You can drive over 80km/hr and do all the things you do in the day and get away unharmed. Road accidents happen because of the actions of other people who can’t drive. In TT you can write off more than one car due to reckless driving and not have your licence revoked.

So take care when you are out there on the road as a passenger or driver, should you have the misfortune to encounter drivers who obey these rules but fail to heed those intended to safeguard the public.